South Downs Way
The South Downs Way runs along the length of the chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex from the historic little city of Winchester to the dazzling white cliffs of Beachy Head overlooking the seaside town of Eastbourne. For much of its length this delightful National Trail meanders along the crest of the Downs, with far-reaching views northwards over the patchwork fields, woods and villages of the Weald and southwards to the sea, but the route also dips into the beautiful river valleys cutting through the Downs and visits some very pretty villages with their friendly old pubs, thatched cottages and gardens bursting with flowers.
History is an ever-present companion to the South Downs Way. The route follows ancient tracks established some 5000 years ago when Stone Age man began to cultivate the Downs and mine for the flint from which he made tools. Later settlers all left their marks on the land in the shape of Bronze Age barrows; Iron Age hill forts; Roman tracks; Saxon churches; Norman churches, cathedrals and castles; deserted medieval villages; and the dew ponds created as watering holes for the great flocks of sheep that grazed on the Downs in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Highlights of the trail include the beautiful cathedral city of Winchester, the Capital of Saxon England; the downland viewpoints of Beacon Hill, Butser Hill, Bignor Hill, Ditchling Beacon and Firle Beacon; the 'Jack and Jill' windmills; the Devil's Dyke, a vast dry valley said to have been carved by Satan to let the sea flood the Weald and destroy all the churches; the picturesque villages of Exton, East Meon, Buriton, South Harting, Amberley and Alfriston; the exhilarating sense of space on top of the Downs; Alfriston's parish church, the 'Cathedral of the Downs'; the 'smallest church in England' at Lullington; the marvellous variety of wildflowers and butterflies found on the sheep-grazed pastures of the Downs; the huge Bronze Age barrows known as the Devil's Jumps; and the spectacular clifftop walk over the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.
South Downs Way
| Total Distance | 100 miles (160 km) |
| Start and Finish | Winchester to Eastbourne |
| Availability | All Year |
click on a photo to enlarge
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDW1 | 7 nights, 6 days walking | £495 per person | More Information | Book Online |
| SDW2 | 8 nights, 7 days walking | £565 per person | More Information | Book Online |
| SDW3 | 9 nights, 8 days walking | £635 per person | More Information | Book Online |
| SDW4 | 10 nights, 9 days walking | £710 per person | More Information | Book Online |
| SDW5 | 11 nights, 10 days walking | £790 per person | More Information | Book Online |
Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own there is a single supplement of £25 per night. You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £45 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency.
Don’t have the time for the complete walk?
We also offer The South Downs Way in two sections, giving those with less time the opportunity to complete the trail in stages.
We also offer the South Downs Way - Short Break. Beginning and ending in the charming village of Alfriston, this short walk takes in the beautiful Cuckmere River, the smugglers' haunt of Cuckmere Haven, the dramatic chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head as well as the rolling Downs above Wilmington. Stone Age flint mines, Bronze Age barrows, dew ponds, the Long Man of Wilmington and the picturesque villages of Litlington, West Dean and Jevington add to the interest of this superb walk.
South Downs Way - West Section
| Total Distance | 47.5 miles (76 km) |
| Start and Finish | Winchester to Amberley |
| Availability | All Year |
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDWW1 | 4 nights, 3 days walking | £295 per person | More Information | Book Online |
| SDWW2 | 5 nights, 4 days walking | £370 per person | More Information | Book Online |
| SDWW3 | 6 nights, 5 days walking | £445 per person | More Information | Book Online |
Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own there is a single supplement of £25 per night. You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £45 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency.
South Downs Way - East Section
| Total Distance | 52.5 miles (84 km) |
| Start and Finish | Amberley to Eastbourne |
| Availability | All Year |
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDWE1 | 5 nights, 4 days walking | £370 per person | More Information | Book Online |
| SDWE2 | 6 nights, 5 days walking | £445 per person | More Information | Book Online |
Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own there is a single supplement of £25 per night. You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £45 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency.
South Downs Way - Short Break
| Total Distance | 18 miles (29 km) |
| Start and Finish | circular trail beginning at Alfriston |
| Availability | All Year |
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDWSB | 3 nights, 2 days walking | £235 per person | More Information | Book Online |
Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own there is a single supplement of £25 per night. You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £45 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency.